Introduction to Top Earners in Texas
To be one of the highest earners in Texas, residents have to make about $18,000 less than they did last year, a new financial analysis from SmartAsset has found. Despite that amount being lower, it still means Texans have to make $743,955 to qualify as a top one-percent earner in the state in 2025.
Methodology of the Analysis
To determine the income needed to be in the top one percent of earners, SmartAsset analyzed 2022 IRS data for individual tax filers, which is the most recent year where data was available, and income was adjusted to May 2025 dollars.
National Trends
Nationwide, the income needed to be in the top one percent decreased in every state except for North Dakota, Florida, and Oklahoma. The national average income it takes to be considered a part of this exclusive group comes out to $731,492.
State-by-State Comparison
Connecticut is also the only state where its residents need to make more than $1 million to be considered a top one percent earner, and only 16,917 residents currently fit the bill for the designation. Meanwhile, Texas has the 10th highest income needed to be considered a top earner in the U.S. SmartAsset said the state’s threshold is $12,503 higher than the national average.
Top Earners in Texas
A total of 128,130 Texans currently make enough money to be considered one of the highest earners statewide. That’s 2,002 more people than last year. Though the report doesn’t provide information as to where these top earners live, it’s entirely possible some are living in Houston. After all, the city’s population has now surpassed 2.39 million residents.
Income Thresholds for Top Earners
For aspiring Texans who want to make it among the top five percent of earners in the state, they would have to make $284,661 a year to qualify, or about $4,000 more than last year’s income threshold. There are 640,648 Texans who currently make enough money to be considered top 5 percent earners, the report said. Nearly 1.5 million households across the United States now rank among the top one percent of earners, according to the latest tax return data from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Economic Conditions and Cost of Living
Economic conditions, tax policies and cost of living vary significantly from state to state, resulting in wide disparities between what it takes to become a top 1 percent earner across the nation. For Houstonians who want to make enough money to be considered "middle class," the yearly salary ranges between $41,754 and $125,274, according to a separate 2025 SmartAsset report.
Top 10 States with the Highest Thresholds
The top 10 states with the highest thresholds to be considered in the top 1 percent of earners in the U.S. are:
- No. 1 – Connecticut ($1,056,996)
- No. 2 – Massachusetts ($965,170)
- No. 3 – California ($905,396)
- No. 4 – New Jersey ($901,082)
- No. 5 – New York ($891,640)
- No. 6 – Florida ($859,381)
- No. 7 – Washington ($819,101)
- No. 8 – Colorado ($772,989)
- No. 9 – Wyoming ($771,369)
- No. 10 – Texas ($743,955)
Conclusion
In conclusion, the income required to be considered a top earner in Texas is $743,955, which is the 10th highest in the U.S. The number of top earners in the state has increased by 2,002 from last year, with a total of 128,130 Texans making enough to be in the top 1 percent. The income threshold for top earners varies significantly across states due to differences in economic conditions, tax policies, and cost of living. Understanding these thresholds can provide valuable insights into the financial landscape of different regions and help individuals set realistic financial goals.
